Luminescent sign



July 9, 1929. s. M. THOMAS LUMINESCENT SIGN Filed April 9, 1928 4 I Jnun #2 7/70/10.

firrolensy .Patente cl July 9, 1929;

1,120,155 uNrrEo STATES PATENT O FFlCE.

minim n. amounts, or Los ANGELES, cunonma, assronon or ems-mum- 'ro 1mmx. nmmson, or Los aromas, sun-01mm.-

LUMINESCEN '1 SIGN.

Application filed April 9,

My invention relates to the art of illumination, being more particularlya luminescent sign 'of the type in which inert gas, such as neon, isused.

Ordinarily, signs'of the type ust referred to consist of glass tubesbent to form the figure or outline of the subject to be drsplayed, suchtubes being 'of a constant diameter throughout their length," whichfeature is the cause of an undesirable similarity between si s of thistype.

The or inary luminescent gas sign requires highly skilled mechanics inthe glass blowing art during manufacture and such signs, when completed,must be handled with extreme care.

The efficiency of a neon or other 1nert gas sign is not dependent uponmaintaining a constant diameter of the tube or conduit forming the sign,but is dependent on a constant cross sectional areaof the chamber in thesign which contains the gas, consequently the cross sectionalconfiguratmn of the gas chamber may be varied as desired, provided thecross sectional area remains constant.

Taking advantage of this characteristic of a sign of this character, theundesirable similarity of luminescent signs of the type referred to maybe done away with, in that letters may be used of different classes,such as bold face type, etc. i

It is one of the principal objects of my invention to produceluminescent signs of the character described, of simple formandconstruction, wherein the container for the gas is of either constantor varying size with the gas chamber therein of varying width,-

resulting in a display, the face of which is illuminated with uniformintensity, although of irregular contour.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter from the followingdescription and drawings. V

Referring to the drawings, which are for illustrative purp ses only,

Fig. 1 is a face view of a sign embodying a form of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33 of Fi Fig. 4 is a face view of asign embodying a modified form of my invention, and

plan View on line 1928. Serial No. 288,486.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

More particularly describing the embodi- 'ment of my invention shown inthe accompanylng drawings, 11 designates a sign consisting of thecapital letter D of the charactor of type usually designated bold face.This letter is made of glass, having therein a chamber 12 containing aninert gas such as neon. The chamber 12 is of constant cross sectionalarea, but varies as to width. In the form shown the outline orconfiguration of the gas chamber conforms generally in shape to theoutline of .the letter.

13 and 14 designate inlet and outlet tubes respectively for the gas,such outlet tubes being adaptable for the reception of electrodes (notshown), or in cases where the letter shown is buta part of compositefeatures making upthe the tubes 13 and 14 are connected to similar tubesof other features in the 'sign in any suitable manner, as skilled in theart.

As shown in Figs. 2 and 3, the cross sectional outline of the gaschamber varies, the gas chamber being so proportioned that where thedepth of creased the width is decreased, and vice versa, so that thecross sectional area of the chamber remains constant.

The sign as contemplated in my invention may be made by casting, blowingor molding, and may be of the desired transparency or translucency,colloidal substance.

In the form shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the

sign is in the form of the letter S, the

face 20 of the letter 21 being raised and fitted in a cover plate 22,consisting of a thin sheet of copper or other suitable material, havinga display opening 23 of the configuration desired, which is preferablysmaller than the gas. chamber 24 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 4.

In the form shown in Figs. .4 and 5, inlet and outlet tubes, similar tothose used in the form shown in Figs. 1 to 3, inclusive, are also used,the inlet tube 25 being shown wherein the gas conduit changes in outlinefrom the fiat cross sectional outline in the letter proper to a roundtube- 26.

From the above description, it will be understood that a luminescentsign of the charsign, such as a word,'

is well known to those and formed of glass or other the gas chamber isinacter described maylb made, in which an illuminated letter or othersign of va ing outline will be illuminated with equa l'uminosit over itsentire face, it is to be understoo that the term sign used herein isinclusive of any luminescent tube having the characteristlcs defined inthe'following claims. v

I claim as my invention 4 1. A luminescefit sign containing inert gas,having a gas chamber therein of varymg cross sectional'shape and ofequal cross sectional area. v 2. A luminescent sign contannng inert gas,consisting of a light transmitting member forming a tortuous gas chamberof vary-l ing cross sectional outline and of equal cross sectional areathroughout its length. r

3. A luminescent sign contaming inert gas, consistlng of a li httransmitting memer of varying width, avin formed therein a gas chamberof substantia ly. the same outline as said member, varying in crosssectional outline and of equal cross sectional area throughout its lenh.

In testimony whereo I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles,California, this 3 day of April, 1928.

' SAMUEL-M. THOMAS.

